Country Living Show 2009 Report

Your Chamber has again taken the lead in developing the annual Country Living Show which showcases local businesses and services from the county and beyond. We had a tremendously successful 2009 Country Living Show with over 1,800 people in attendance. Even more interesting is the breakdown of the demographics of our visitors. Please see demographic breakdown below:

• Brighton 61.7%
• Colborne/Castleton 5.2%
• Trenton 12.8%
• Belleville 2.0%
• Frankford/Stirling 1.9%
• Campbellford/Warkworth 3.1%
• Cobourg/Port Hope/Grafton 6.4%
• Toronto 2.0%
• Other 4.9%
  Other consists of Kingston, Campbellcroft, Tweed, Maple, Norwood, Gore’s Landing, Orillia, Whitby, Apsley, Peterborough, Mississauga, Goodwood, Napanee, & Brantford.

Again, we achieved what we had set out to do and that was to attract people to our community and show the quality of life we offer to tourists and residents.

What was new this year!

• A beer and wine garden featuring local brewery ChurchKey Brewery and Oak Heights Estate Winery manned by Keystone!
• A 2 day event!
• Exhibitor networking bags!
• Exhibitor wine and cheese meet and greet Friday the 24th between 5 and 7 p.m.!
• Mrs. B’s Country Candy ... chocolate fountain!
• Bus service for seniors!
• Rock climbing wall!
• New music arranged by Dragonfly Ranch Music Management with sound system supplied by Third Stone Music.

Entertainers included:

Special Guests:

• Jeannie Mintz
• Ginny McIlmoyle
• Cheryl Casselman
• Dana Johnson

We donated $700 to Keystone House. And, our door prize winner took away $513.00

Some comments from our exhibitors:

Beth Siwicky, Cricklewood Farm
“We had an encouraging experience participating in the Country Living Show and the response was very positive for us. Our purpose was to increase our exposure within the community and I think we achieved it through this show.”

Barb Phillips, Fresh Habitat
”Great show.”

Janice Vilaca, Sr. Unit Leader, Epicure Selections
“Wanted to say THANK YOU for a terrific weekend at the Country Living Show! Tracy Thurston and myself were thrilled and delighted to be a part of your show. We loved the home town welcome that we received each day!! I look forward to sharing Epicure Selections in your community, as we have had such success with this incredible Canadian company, here in our towns.”

Melanie, Xocai Healthy Chocolate
“Thank you again for a fantastic Country Living Show!! You and your committee did another great job and I am thankful that I have connected with you through WSBN to have heard about the Country Living Show last year and to have been able to attend again this year. I look forward to next year.
Thanks so much.”

I would like to personally thank the Committee who worked extremely hard to make this show yet another success for the Chamber. Thanks to all of our volunteers Gina Cowan, Cynthia Lecours, Erica Calhoun, George Lucas, Mary Robertson, Malcolm Schofield, Don Parks, Cindy Lewis, Mitch Lewis, Dillon Chapman, Julie Arsenault, Theo Georgatos, and Christopher Park and the Keystone volunteers. We are looking for feedback from you to help us make this show even bigger and better for next year.

See you next year!

Mary Robertson, President